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Breastfeeding : Tips and Advice

Dr Tanya Byron

Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do to get your baby off to a great start in life. Read on to discover how you can make breastfeeding a success for both of you!

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

Experts everywhere agree that breastfeeding your baby gives him the best possible start in life. It gives him all the nutrition he needs for the first six months and, helps protect him from many illnesses. In addition the close physical contact and eye contact during the feeding helps you and your baby to bond quickly.

Breastfeeding has major benefits for you as well. Women who breast-feed tend to be less likely to suffer from breast or ovarian cancer, and also tend to suffer less from brittle bone disease. And some evidence also shows that women who breastfeed get back to their pre-pregnancy figure faster!

I've heard about my milk "coming in", what does this mean?

In the first few days after birth, your body makes colostrum – a very concentrated form of milk that helps to pass on your natural immunity to your baby. Between days two and five, your body will begin to produce greater quantities of milk. When this happens, you may find that your breasts become quite tender and swollen for a few days while your body adjusts, and you may also find that you leak milk. A comfortable and supportive nursing bra plus nursing pads will help a lot.

What's the best position to breastfeed?

Most mums find feeding easiest in a comfortable chair with good back support. Being able to put your feet up can also help make it easier and more relaxing.

Although most mums prefer the traditional position of laying the baby next to them and across their body, there’s no right or wrong way to hold your baby. Some mums find that the "rugby ball position" – where the baby is tucked alongside you and under your arm - works best for them. Laying the baby on a pillow can often help with positioning. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works best for both of you.

There are a few things that you should always remember:

• Your baby shouldn't have to twist his body or head to come onto the breast
• Your baby needs to be able to get a good mouthful of your breast – he or she will need to take the whole nipple well back into his mouth to feed successfully
• Small babies can take a long time to finish feeding, so make sure it's a comfortable position for you as well.
• You might find that you get thirsty while you’re feeding, so try and remember to have a glass of water next to you (or get your partner to bring you one!).

Latching on

Your baby is born with a "rooting reflex" which helps him to feed. If you gently stroke his cheek with a finger or your nipple, his mouth will open wide and he will turn his head, trying to latch on. You should always make sure that your baby’s mouth is wide open when he comes to the breast; if not, he will not get a proper mouthful of your breast and will not be able to suckle successfully.

Signs of a good latch:

• If you are comfortable. If you find that it’s hurting you to feed, or that your nipples are sore and uncomfortable after a feed, the chances are that your baby is incorrectly latched on. If you think your baby is not latched on properly, gently put your finger in the corner of his mouth to break the suction before taking him off and trying again. Don’t just take him off the breast without breaking the suction – it will really hurt!
• If your baby has a good mouthful of your breast. Your baby needs to take the whole of your nipple well back into his mouth to feed successfully. His tongue should be on the underside of the nipple where he will stroke it and so stimulate the flow of milk.
• If your baby is feeding contentedly. When your baby feeds you will see his jaw moving up and down, and will probably hear him gulping and swallowing.

How often will my baby need to feed?

When we were babies, the chances are that our mothers would have been told to feed us on a schedule, every three to four hours. These days, most experts recommend that you feed your baby "on demand" – which means offering him a feed whenever he seems hungry.

In the early days, your baby will want to feed a lot – maybe as often as ten to fifteen times in twenty-four hours – and you may have days when you feel as though your baby is permanently attached to your breast! However, this doesn’t mean that your baby “isn’t getting enough”, or that he needs you to supplement with formula. It is simply Nature’s way of helping your body adapt to how much milk your baby needs. Take it as a reminder that your body needs time to rest and recover after the hard work of pregnancy and birth, and enjoy the opportunity to sit down quietly and bond with your baby.

As your baby grows, he will develop a more predictable feeding pattern, although he will go through regular "growth spurts" where he will want to feed much more often for a day or two. Again, this is totally normal – it's how your body adapts its milk supply to your baby’s changing needs.

How long should I breastfeed for?

The current best advice is that your baby should be exclusively breastfed for six months, and should, if possible, continue to be breastfed for at least the whole of the first year. From six months, you can also begin introducing solid foods to your baby’s diet (your health visitor can advise on the best way to do this).

If you are returning to work, there are many things you can do to help keep breastfeeding going. Some women express their milk at work so that their baby can have it during the day, and continue to breastfeed in the mornings and evenings. Mixed feeding (where formula is given alongside breastfeeding) can also help. However, you should be aware that it can affect your milk supply and sometimes can cause it to stop entirely, because your body will make less milk in response to your baby feeding less often.

What should I do if I feel anxious or am unable to breastfeed?

Many women can feel under pressure to breastfeed and this in itself can lead to anxiety which in turn can cause real problems for mother and baby. It is really important that you try and feel as relaxed as you can and look for advice and support as necessary. Often many women can feel overwhelmed by well meaning advice from friends and family which can cause them to give up and feel ‘like they have failed’. While breastfeeding does have many important advantages, women need to know that it is one part of many aspects of their early positive relationship with their child. By taking the pressure off themselves, many women often find they, and their baby, can find their own way through.

Who can I ask for advice?

The people who can help you most with getting started are the midwives who will care for you in the first few days after your baby is born. They can give you great advice and tips on how to make it an easy, enjoyable experience for both of you.

Many areas also offer specialist lactation consultants who can advise if you’re finding things a bit more tricky. If you’re struggling, do ask for help – your midwife team will want to do everything they can to help you succeed.

Useful websites

• www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk A really comprehensive website with a lot of information about how to make breastfeeding a success for you and your baby
• www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk The official website of the NHS, which has up-to-date information on all aspects of health, including breastfeeding
• www.nct.org.uk The website of the National Childbirth Trust. This gives details of local branches and counsellors, who can help to put you in touch with local parenting and breastfeeding support groups.

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